Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

Featured in: Rustic Bakes & Breads

This classic Italian bread combines a soft, airy dough with bright rosemary and roasted garlic accents. The dough rises twice for a tender crumb and is baked to a golden crust. Olive oil enriches the dough and enhances flavor, creating an ideal base for sides or sandwiches. The aromatic topping adds savory notes while flaky salt balances the taste, making it a versatile preparation perfect for sharing.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 14:33:00 GMT
Fragrant rosemary garlic focaccia, golden and airy, perfect for sandwiches or dipping.  Save
Fragrant rosemary garlic focaccia, golden and airy, perfect for sandwiches or dipping. | basilhearth.com

A fragrant airy Italian bread topped with fresh rosemary and roasted garlic – perfect as a side or for sandwiches.

This focaccia quickly became a family favorite thanks to its crispy crust and herbaceous aroma.

Ingredients

  • Dough: 500 g (4 cups) bread flour, 325 ml (1⅓ cups) warm water, 2¼ tsp (7 g) active dry yeast, 2 tsp sugar, 2 tsp fine sea salt, 60 ml (¼ cup) extra virgin olive oil
  • Topping: 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary leaves finely chopped, 4 garlic cloves thinly sliced, 1 tsp flaky sea salt

Instructions

Step 1:
In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let stand for 10 minutes, until foamy.
Step 2:
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.
Step 3:
Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.
Step 4:
Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 8–10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
Step 5:
Place dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Step 6:
Grease a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan with olive oil. Gently stretch or press the dough into the pan, dimple the surface with your fingers, and cover. Let rise 30 minutes.
Step 7:
Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F).
Step 8:
Drizzle remaining olive oil over the dough. Scatter sliced garlic and chopped rosemary evenly on top. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
Step 9:
Bake for 22–25 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Step 10:
Cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Delicious rosemary garlic focaccia bread topped with roasted garlic, offering a savory aroma.  Save
Delicious rosemary garlic focaccia bread topped with roasted garlic, offering a savory aroma. | basilhearth.com

Baking focaccia is always a special moment with my family gathering in the kitchen to watch the dough rise and aroma fill the air.

Notes

Add olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the topping for extra flavor. For a crispier crust, bake on a preheated pizza stone. Serve warm with olive oil for dipping or use for sandwiches.

Required Tools

Large mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking pan, wooden spoon, kitchen towel

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten). Check labels for potential cross-contamination if serving to those with allergies.

Homemade rosemary garlic focaccia, beautifully baked and served warm with olive oil. Save
Homemade rosemary garlic focaccia, beautifully baked and served warm with olive oil. | basilhearth.com

Serve this focaccia warm right out of the oven for the perfect soft inside and crisp outside every time.

Recipe FAQs

How long should the dough rise?

The dough requires one hour for the first rise until doubled, followed by a 30-minute second rise after shaping.

Can I add other toppings?

Yes, olives or sun-dried tomatoes can be added to the topping for additional flavor variations.

What oven temperature is best for baking?

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F) to achieve a golden brown crust and fully cooked interior.

How do I get a crispier crust?

Baking the bread on a preheated pizza stone helps to develop a crispier crust.

Is the bread suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this preparation contains no animal products aside from typical vegetarian ingredients.

Rosemary Garlic Focaccia Bread

Fluffy Italian bread featuring fragrant rosemary and garlic atop a golden, airy crust.

Prep Time
20 minutes
Time to Cook
25 minutes
Total Duration
45 minutes
Recipe by Laura Bennett

Recipe Type Rustic Bakes & Breads

Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type Italian

Makes 8 Portions

Dietary Details Plant-Based, No Dairy

What You'll Need

Dough

01 4 cups bread flour
02 1 1/3 cups warm water
03 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
04 2 teaspoons sugar
05 2 teaspoons fine sea salt
06 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Topping

01 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
02 2 to 3 sprigs fresh rosemary, leaves finely chopped
03 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
04 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

How To Make It

Step 01

Activate yeast: Combine warm water, sugar, and active dry yeast in a small bowl. Allow mixture to stand for 10 minutes until foamy.

Step 02

Prepare dough mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together bread flour and fine sea salt. Create a well in the center, then pour in the yeast mixture and olive oil.

Step 03

Mix dough: Stir with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.

Step 04

Knead dough: Transfer dough to a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 05

First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm environment for one hour or until doubled in size.

Step 06

Shape dough: Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with olive oil. Gently press or stretch the dough to fill the pan, dimpling the surface with your fingers. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

Step 07

Preheat oven: Set the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C).

Step 08

Add toppings: Drizzle the remaining olive oil uniformly over the dough. Distribute sliced garlic and chopped rosemary evenly, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

Step 09

Bake focaccia: Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the interior is cooked through.

Step 10

Cool and serve: Allow to cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Tools Needed

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Kitchen towel

Allergy Warnings

Review every ingredient for allergens and reach out to a medical expert if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten). Verify ingredient labels for possible cross-contamination.

Nutrition information (serving size)

These nutritional details are for reference. They're not meant as medical guidance.
  • Caloric Value: 210
  • Fat content: 7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 32 grams
  • Protein Amount: 5 grams